Gary R. Pfingston

Gary R. Pfingston
    
10th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (1990-1994)
Born (1940-01-02)January 2, 1940
Evansville, Indiana
Died June 23, 2007(2007-06-23) (aged 67)
San Antonio, Texas
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Air Force
Years of service 1962–1994
Rank Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
Battles/wars Vietnam War
Awards Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal(4)
Air Force Commendation Medal(3)
Air Force Achievement Medal

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Gary R. Pfingston (January 2, 1940 - June 23, 2007) was the tenth Chief Master Sergeant appointed to the highest Non-commissioned officer position in the United States Air Force.

Chief Pfingston was born in Evansville, Indiana on January 2, 1940. In California, he graduated from Torrance High School in 1958 and attended El Camino College from 1958 through 1961. He entered the Air Force in February 1962. Chief Pfingston spent his early years as a B-52 Crew Chief at Castle AFB, California from 1962 to 1968 and then worked on B-52s and KC-135s at Plattsburgh AFB, N.Y. from 1968 to 1972. After serving in Thailand at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base for a year between 1972 and 1973, he became a military Training Instructor at Lackland AFB in 1973. In 1979 he became Commandant of the Military Training Instructor School. He became a First Sergeant in 1982 and then between 1984 and 1990 he was a Senior Enlisted Advisor at George AFB, California; Bergstrom AFB, Texas; and Pacific Air Forces Headquarters, Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

On August 1, 1990 he became CMSAF. Chief Pfingston’s focus during his tenure was tackling the Air Force’s draw-down and budget. After Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) issues arose during increased deployments during Gulf War I, he worked to continue BAS for Airmen living in field conditions and toward increasing Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) amounts. His toughest challenge was Air Force downsizing. With a goal of avoiding involuntary separations during the ongoing force draw-down, he worked to get the Voluntary Separation Incentive and Special Separation Bonus programs established. He retired October 25, 1994. He died of cancer June 23, 2007.

Awards and Decorations

Master Maintenance Badge
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Width-44 crimson ribbon with a pair of width-2 white stripes on the edges Legion of Merit
Width-44 crimson ribbon with two width-8 white stripes at distance 4 from the edges.
Meritorious Service Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
V
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and silver oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with silver and three bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze star
Width=44 scarlet ribbon with a central width-4 golden yellow stripe, flanked by pairs of width-1 scarlet, white, Old Glory blue, and white stripes
National Defense Service Medal with service star
Vietnam Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Service Ribbon
Air Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with bronze oak leaf cluster
Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters
NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon with two oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Award
Vietnam Campaign Medal

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government document "http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=6751".

Succession

Military offices
Preceded by
James C. Binnicker
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
19901994
Succeeded by
David J. Campanale


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